McLaren set to unveil a successor to the "F1" in 2012

[Peloton25]

McLaren will launch a follow-up to its iconic F1 hypercar in 2012, more than two years earlier than originally planned.



A successor to the F1 had been expected later in the decade as McLaren instead focused its efforts on setting up a new car company from scratch, developing and marketing the MP4-12C and establishing a dealer network to sell its models through.

McLaren insiders have told Autocar, however, the firm is working flat-out on a new F1, a car described as a “revolutionary” hypercar and one which will be instantly recognisable as such. This is in contrast to the MP4-12C, which has been criticised for its unadventurous styling.

The new F1 is the subject of an intensive development programme said to be among the speediest the industry has yet seen.

The new F1 will be mid-engined and will feature a carbonfibre monocoque similar in concept to the MP4-12C’s. Despite its creators’ radical approach, it will still bear some similarities to the original F1. These, however, are largely coincidental and it is not yet clear whether the car will feature the same central driving seat as its predecessor.

As with the MP4-12C and the original 1992 F1, major emphasis has been placed on saving weight; the new F1 is expected to pioneer many new solutions in this field.

It will also feature novel wheel and lighting designs, both contributing much to its distinctive look. There’s no word yet on the car’s powertrain, but it is expected to break new ground, possibly with some low emission solutions. Standard-setting suspension is also a certainty.

The F1 successor will be the second of McLaren’s trio of new models – the third is thought to slot beneath the £150,000 MP4 12C. The planned price of the F1 successor is unknown, but it’s likely to be substantially more than the 12C. But rather than a limited edition, as the F1 was, it is expected be a regular series model.

New McLaren F1 in 2012 - Autocar.co.uk

Let's hope they work on that design - A LOT!

>8^)
ER

[DocGTR]

^^^^ That looks just horrendous! Like a SAAB, Citroen and a Koenigsegg mixed and put together with cheap glue. Not a true successor to the classy and timeless F1.

[SnowBawl]

Originally Posted by DocGTR

^^^^ That looks just horrendous! Like a SAAB, Citroen and a Koenigsegg mixed and put together with cheap glue. Not a true successor to the classy and timeless F1.

I think I've seen that picture before and it's just an artist rendetion done by a magazine. A "guess" as to what it may look like. I don't believe it's in any way official.

[peterst]

Originally Posted by Peloton25

Let's hope they work on that design - A LOT!

>8^)
ER

Don't worry, the car will have better look. That's the same situation as with the F1. MP4-12C plays a cash "collector", but the big one will be really good.

[hurstg01]

As someone else once said - That gives us a pretty good idea what it won't look like then.

[carbuilder2002]

rest assured the true form of the F1 replacement will be closely guarded until very near the release date unless they need to drum up customer interest.

[Dr.D]

It's very exciting to think that Mclaren would have a successor to the F1 but good heavens, if it looks like that picture, I don't think I can grasp where Mclaren is heading and if they do not incorporate a central driving position, then forget it. I LOVE the central position. I remember JJ Lehto talking about how the F1 GTR was as close to a true F1 track car because of its central seating position, but with a body around it. Also, I would not focus on these these top speed wars like this silly Bugatti and Ultimate Aero. Neither are anything like what the Mclaren was intended to be. Honestly, I don't believe Mclaren can top the original car, not to mention the incredible success of the 1995 Le mans race. The whole story and history of the original car hasn't even been touched or topped by any car company IMO. I don't want to sound harsh, but also with regard to the new MP4, it's so big and wide looking and reminds me of a Mazda or something. The original car is like magic. Gordon and his team did the most amazing job on the original car. Of all the cars on the planet, the LM, GTR, and F1 roadcar are simply intoxicating to look at. Tiff Needell said that the LM was the most exciting supercar in the world ever. Steve Sutcliffe from autocar said the exact same thing. He stated that not even the Veyron was anything like the F1 experience, Nothing! How can they top that? Also, I really think it's a huge mistake to make a large number of cars. If a new car is to succeed, it should be a very limited number like the original F1. Thank you for sharing Peloton.

[peterst]

Analyze the budget of VW an McLaren. VW is an elefant, McLaren is a fly. What will happen if the fly kick the elefant - nothing. Veyron is the most avanced automotive product today, F1 is a simple bench made of expensive "wood". The only reason why F1 has such collectors value is a number of units available. 962 will put down any F1 to suck the dust behind. Ultimate Aero is american truck with huge blower and soap box body. Have you ever seen anything interesting coming from that side of the "ball"?

[Dr.D]

Peterst,
Would you consider the 962 a practical roadcar with enough clearance to be practical on the road? Also I think you are leaving out the fact that the 962 was designed as a track car, where the F1 was not, yet Mclaren still won at Lemans. Mclaren had a bigger mountain to tackle using a road car and what about the fact that the F1 is normally aspirated? With regard to the Ultimate Aero, I think it's an ugly, wide nightmare, with turbos attached for high speed and no heart and I don't like American cars even though I'm an American. Isn't the 962 a turbo charged racecar?

[peterst]

There were road 962s. Of course, the story of conversion went quite opposite to F1s. You're absolutely right, they were twin-turbos. The overall practicality of all sports cars is relative. It always look like to put pants through a head. It's only a matter if you're ready to do it everyday or not.

[peterst]

What about this? The article is here: http://www.carsuk.net/new-mclaren-f1-rendered/

[Dr.D]

I read Gordon Murray's comments in the latest EVO edition and he was quite adamant that the new F1 will have a central seating position. I'm no expert on cars but if it were me, I would not at all be concerned about these silly top speed wars, but more so a great package of a car that is small, extremely light weight with excellent handling and make sure it's hella quick. A true one of a kind and I would follow the past and limit the production to only 100 cars or so just like the F1 before it.

[Peloton25]

Gordon's F1 successor and McLaren's F1 successor are not one in the same.

Gordon left McLaren Automotive in the beginning of 2005 when development of the SLR was complete. Since then he has started his own design firm working on projects like his T25 city car and a yet to be revealed supercar that was mentioned in EVO. It's a very safe bet that he won't be involved with any of McLaren's future projects - a shame for both parties I think.

>8^)
ER

[peterst]

Originally Posted by Dr.D

I read Gordon Murray's comments in the latest EVO edition and he was quite adamant that the new F1 will have a central seating position. I'm no expert on cars but if it were me, I would not at all be concerned about these silly top speed wars, but more so a great package of a car that is small, extremely light weight with excellent handling and make sure it's hella quick. A true one of a kind and I would follow the past and limit the production to only 100 cars or so just like the F1 before it.

Sorry, mate, I don't know if you're in the industry or not. 100 units production will crash down any manufacturer, unless you simply want to throw the cash away. It happend to F1 accidentally and caused by the recession. Of course, they wanted to sell as many F1s as possible (350 planned)). Recall the situation when McLarens invited Derek Waeland to low the product cost by USD140,000.00 and to avoid mass cash losses on 100 units production.

[Dr.D]

Understood sir but wouldn't the profits from the other two cars make up for losses of only 100 cars being made in your opinion? I guess 350 isn't so bad. There's the MP4, the new F1 and one other that will be last in the batch.